Yesterday morning as I was completing my Bible Reading Plan for the day, I was struck by Luke 9:1-3.
"As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'
Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."
How quick we are to forget in the painful times that God has a purpose in all things. Even when a baby is born blind... or three months early... or with other significant setbacks.
God has a purpose in everything, and that purpose is that His works might be displayed and His name glorified. Pain is not always punishment, it is never an accident, and it is always for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
So I must ask, are you willing to joyfully suffer, that the works of God might be displayed in you? Then the harder question- are you willing to watch your children suffer, that the works of God might be displayed in them?
Oh, how we love our babies. We want the very best for them. I remember watching S in the incubator, when she was still so tiny, wondering and worrying what the permanent side effects of her prematurity might be.
As I considered the painful list of possibilities, my heart ached to take them for her. Oh, that they could be my pains to bear, and not hers! If I could take them on me, and she could walk away unscathed...
It doesn't work that way. Pain and brokenness will reach our children in this fallen, sin cursed world. Do we trust the One who afflicts them? Can we run to Him and rest in Him, trusting Him even when He decrees that they suffer?
Is our greatest desire for God to be glorified? Will we willingly lay down our cherished dreams of blissful, happy lives for our children, in order that His name be praised through their burdens and griefs?
If I am truly honest, this is painfully difficult for me. This is the key hurdle for the Christian parent; to love Christ more. To not treasure our children as idols, to count the cost of true discipleship. And I must confess that I fall short.
Oh Lord, give us this faith. The faith to leave our babies in your hands, to love You the most, and to exhibit joyful, peaceful trust in You even when you ordain that they suffer.
That the works of God might be displayed in them.
Linked with Mommy Monday and The Better Mom.
